legalization in California won't happen in my opinion

i'm extremely interested in the whole legalization of Cannabis in California. but i really don't think it will happen. i'll state my case. the gov't is already hard nose against the drug. you say well it's the state and people's decision which i'm with you there. but they can with hold taxes from them because they legalized it. i.e. all the state's legal drinking age should be 21 or no federal taxes. i know Obama used to smoke weed back in the day frequently, but lets be honest is he gonna be the first president to legalize it while being the first black president. there's already a stereotype about blacks smoking weed. and hey it's cool with me but with everyone else its a negative connotation. it just doesn't seem like its do-able. i mean it legalized in california while it's illegal everywhere else... just doesn't make sense in my head. also the other states are gonna run in to a shit load of problems because i guarantee that they're gonna start dealing to other states. which prolly means lock down on the boarders. i think it's a legalize all or nothing. what say you?

You make alot of good points, but I think Obama is only not pushing legalization to protect his approval ratings and stay in good standing with the wigs. However, I don't think he's going to take any measures to fight against progress. He'll probably just let states handle it individually until it becomes too big an issue and hes forced to intervene, and by this point the public majority vote will probably be for legalization and that's the route he will take. As far as regulating the weed as it will very likely cross state lines quickly, I'm actually anticipating that this will help progression in a country wide legalization, I think the DEA will back down on fighting mj and let state law enforcement take it into their own hands.

but it could also go to making it illegal, because they can control it going across state lines, because of legalization in california. in my opinion i think it should be legalized not decriminalized. because the drug cartels would get more powerful if it was decriminalized because there will be more of a demand. its just an all or nothing

anybody else care to share?

It has nothing to do with the issues you just mentioned.

I have a feeling he is going to leave it up to the states (which he just did "officially" yesterday). This way he covers his ass with those who don't want it legal/decriminalized - He can just say, "not my problem it's a state issue." He can also say the same thing to people in states where it remains illegal - "not my problem talk to your state reps."

It's all about covering your ass with the most people.

good point and i'm glad he's doing it that way